Wolfscastle Motte

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameWolfscastle Motte
Alternative NamesWolfs Castle; Castrum Lupi; Cas Blaidd; Moldiscastel; Wolfiscastel
Historic CountryPembrokeshire
Modern AuthorityPembrokeshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityWolfscastle

This prominent mound castle stands on a bluff at the junction of the Western Cleddau and Anghof rivers. The mound rises some 20 feet, from the level; its summit, 50 feet in diameter, has been disturbed within living memory. The surrounding ditch is shallow. To the north of the ditch is a platform, 20 feet in length, which served as the bailey, and whence access to the castle was gained. The field on which the mound stands is known as Castle Park (Tithe Schedule, No. 249). (RCAHMW, 1925)

A ditched motte, 5.0m high and 14m in diameter upon the summit, is set within the N part of a scarp-defined oval enclosure, c.70m by 88m, contain indications of buildings of uncertain period and purpose. A modern road has cut through the bailey enclosure and motte ditch. (Coflein)

Wolfs Castle stands at the junction of the Cleddau and the Anghof. The name Castrum Lupi occurs in the thirteenth century where the Latin word Lupi is a personal name of English or Anglo-Saxon origin rather than a reference to the animal. The Black Book of St Davids of 1326 refers to certain buildings here belonging to the Lord of the Manor which may suggest The physical remains consists of a motte about 7m high and 15m in diameter at the top surrounded by a shallow ditch. A small oval bailey lies to the south-east marked out by counterscarp banks and utilising the steep slope of the stream gorge. JH July 1998 based on Cadw 1997, Charles 1992 and Davis 1997. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSM957265
Latitude51.8998603820801
Longitude-4.96983003616333
Eastings195770
Northings226500
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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 248 (listed)
  • Hull, Lise, 2005, Castles and Bishops Palaces of Pembrokeshire (Logaston Press) p. 222
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 178
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 42
  • Davis, Paul, 1997, The Castle of Dyfed
  • Charles, B.G., 1992, The Place-names of Pembrokeshire
  • Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 140
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 87 (slight)
  • Miles, Dillwyn, 1979 (Revised 1988), Castles of Pembrokeshire (Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) p. 5-7
  • Davis, P.R., 1987, Castles of Dyfed (Llandysul: Gomer Press) p. 64
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 398
  • Rees, Wm, 1932, Map of South Wales and the Border in the 14th century (Ordnance Survey) (A handbook to the map was published in 1933)
  • RCAHMW, 1925, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Pembrokeshire (HMSO) p. 364 no. 1018 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy (as tumulus)

Journals

  • Freeman, M.D., 1977, ‘Wolfscastle, St Dogwells’, Archaeology in Wales Vol. 17 p. 45
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124